GHANA ENDS 2017 WITH 11.8 PCT INFLATION RATE

ACCRA, Ghana recorded an annualised inflation rate of 11.8 per cent in December 2017, compared with 11.7 per cent recorded in November 2017, says Baah Wadieh, theacting Government Statistician, who attributes the rise to an increase in the inflation rates for the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels group, the clothing and footwear group, and furnishings.

The food and non-alcoholic beverages group recorded a year-on-year inflation rate of 8.0 per cent in December, up marginally from 7.9 per cent recorded in November. The non-food group inflation rate was unchanged at 13.6 per cent.

Four sub-groups of the non-food group recorded year-on-year inflation rates higher than the group’s average rate of 13.6 per cent. Clothing and footwear recorded the highest rate of 18.8 per cent, while transport rose 18.7 per cent, recreation and culture 17.5 per cent, and furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance 15.2 per cent.